Emerald Ash Borer Management Workshop set

SWCD, Farm Bureau are sponsors

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Star Courier - Kewanee, IL

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Posted Jan. 30, 2013 at 9:30 AM

Posted Jan. 30, 2013 at 9:30 AM

Kewanee

Native to Asia, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle that was unknown in Illinois until June 2006 when it was discovered in Northeast Illinois. Since then EAB has been discovered in 41 Illinois counties.

In 2012 EAB was found on a trap in Henry County at a park in Kewanee.

EAB is a small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees and feeds on the vascular system causing the trees to starve and eventually die.

Since the first detection of the pest near Detroit, Mich., in 2002, it has killed more than 25 million ash trees. If not controlled this small green borer could wipe out the ash tree in North America.

What do you know about identifying this pest? What control options are available and when is the best time to apply? As municipalities face this pest how are they going to manage their street and public ash tree inventories?

An Emerald Ash Borer Management Workshop will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Black Hawk College Community Education Center in Kewanee.

This program is co-sponsored with Henry County Farm Bureau and Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. There is no fee to attend but you must pre-register to receive lunch. Seating is limited.

Pre-registration will begin Feb. 16. To register online visit web.extension.illinois.edu/hmrs/ and select the link on the right side of the page, or call 309-756-9978 after registration opens.